Since UAB's return to the field in 1990 was recently given a little spotlight, in the spirit of equal time I shall do the same for Samford. The article below, again from the Birmingham Post-Herald, was published on the day that the team would take the field for the first time in more than a decade.
This game generated quite a bit coverage as Stallions QB Cliff Stoudt returned to Pittsburgh to face off against the Maulers for the first time since leaving the NFL's Steelers. The buzz around his return led to the league's first officially sold-out game.
All images are from the Birmingham Post-Herald from the following day, except for the bottom two. Both are from Pennsylvania newspapers. Credit appears at bottom right.
While this blog is largely dedicated to the pro teams that have graced Birmingham over the years, coming across an article about UAB's first season (probably while looking for material on the Birmingham Fire, based on the year) has caused me to think that the Blazers program's early days are probably worth revisiting.
All articles are from, not surprisingly, the Birmingham Post-Herald in 1990. This first one is from July 18th. As you'll read in the article following, 1990 wasn't the program's first season as such, but rather the one in which is began to form into something more solid.
I keep waffling about whether to include the Alabama Vulcans on this page.
I see them referred to as a semi-pro team but there was a payment plan in place for the players (a certain percentage of gate receipts). My understanding is that if you're paid, you're a professional. I don't understand the semi-pro label in this case.
Whenever I come upon new information about the American Football Association, it comes across as a hot mess dumpster fire of a shit show, yet it ran for several years (1977 to 1983) which is more than any other league that has included Birmingham can claim. The Vulcans were only involved for one, the 1979 season, and were reasonably successful on the field despite the many challenges presented to them, both internal and league-wide (such as teams folding).
The article below is about the most complete I've happened upon, though I admit I haven't tried particularly hard. There is still too much material about the original Stallions, Vulcans, etc. to track down to spend much time on these guys but maybe when all those other teams are covered, I'll return to the AFA. For now, I'll post this article as a bookmark and reminder.
The article below appeared in the South Mississippi Sun just following former Birmingham American and Vulcan running back Art Cantrelle's retirement.
The picture below finds its way around several websites or articles about the original Birmingham Stallions but often cropped, uncredited and of lower quality.
A higher quality version of it appeared on al.com in a June 2021 story about the USFL's upcoming (at the time) return. Since it provided the name of the photographer and a proper caption, it seemed like the best version to store and share.
Birmingham Stallions running back Joe Cribbs carries the football during a USFL game against the Pittsburgh Maulers on March 11, 1984, at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. George Gojkovich/Getty Images
The game summary below is a partial copy of a team press release found on Our Sports Central. It was written by Eric D. Williams. The photography of Marlon Williams appeared on Instagram without credit being given.
...After a back-and-forth first half dominated by defense, the Breakers drove 75 yards on 17 plays to open the second half.
(Kyle) Sloter finished the drive by hitting Johnnie Dixon on an in-route for a 10-yard touchdown that went through the hands of linebacker Scooby Wright. The drive took 8:50 off the clock in the third quarter and put New Orleans up 13-10.
However, the Stallions roared back, taking a 17-13 lead with 7:56 left when J'Mar Smith connected with (Victor) Bolden on a 19-yard corner route
Bolden thought he got in on the previous play, but the official called him out of bounds. Stallions head coach Skip Holtz said after a timeout he just flipped the play to the other side of the field.
"We talked about it during the week that they were going to play us in a lot of man, a lot of single-high coverage," Bolden said. "It was something where we made sure we got the timing down during the week. I just give credit to J'Mar for giving me an opportunity to make a play."
The Stallions appeared to put the game away when Dondrea Tillman strip-sacked Sloter in the end zone. New Orleans lineman Kai Absheer recovered for a safety, putting Birmingham ahead 19-13.
But on Birmingham's next possession, Nigel Chavis blocked Brandon Wright's punt and the Breakers took over at the Stallions' 25-yard line.
DeMarquis Gates sacked Sloter on the next play, and the Breakers had to settle for a 43-yard field goal attempt by Austin MacGinnis, which he missed.
The Breakers would get the ball back, but Gates then picked off a Sloter offering over the middle, returning it to the New Orleans' 18-yard line to put the game away. Brandon Aubrey drilled a 33-yard field goal to give the Stallions a 22-13 lead with 1:16 left to play.
"The crowd is making a huge difference," Holtz said. "So, thank you, thank you to the city of Birmingham for the way you've supported this team because I think they play with that passion, but the fans cheer with the passion.
"I don't know how many three-and-outs we started the game with, but they just started cheering harder for the defense. It just got noticeable. I could hear it, and I was wearing a headset. I thought the crowd was great."
